I scream, you scream, we all scream… and everybody loves a good scream, right?
Whether it’s jumping off cliffs (or pushing your loved ones off!), shark diving, zip-lining, bouncing through a disused mine, surfing, plummeting towards the ground – safely, of course! – or just frightening yourself half to death mingling with the world’s most notorious murderers or bloodthirsty pirates, there’s certainly plenty out there if you have the nerve for it.
No one said that half-term was supposed to be easy and this is where you start paying in sweat.
Feeling all pumped up and ready for action now?
Keep reading for our picks of the most exhilarating days out for kids over the February half-term.
The Wave
Try your hand – and legs and body and balance – at surfing without having to risk the actual sea at this amazing inland surf centre, where the surf is always up to exactly the right level for your ability.
A huge double triangle of artificial waves means there’s something for all ages and abilities, and spectator passes if you want to watch from the side. You can also eat, drink and even camp out!
From February 18, Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton, Bristol BS35, thewave.com
Arcelormittal Orbit
The world’s longest tunnel ride? Sign us up!
You’ll know it as the biggest sculpture in the world by internationally renowned artist Anish Kapoor as unveiled at the 2012 London Olympics but after you’ve been up it… then down it, you’ll always think of it as the most heart-stopping helter skelter in human history.
And as it’s right in the middle of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, there’s plenty to check out.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20, arcelormittalorbit.com
Legoland
They’re calling February half-term Brick Week over at Legoland, which means more than 30 rides and attractions along the lines of the UK’s first Flying Theatre Ride, the Lego City Driving School and Ninjago The Ride. Oh, and the Dragon.
Then, of course, there are plenty of opportunities to get down with the bricks including building stuff that you can actually take home with you without alerting the attentions of security.
Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berks SL4, legoland.co.uk
Diggerland
Reopening tomorrow after a winter hibernation this is the place where you can ride, operate and drive real, full-size diggers and dumpers and sundry construction machinery without so much as a hi-vis jacket or a Bob the Builder hard hat. And that’s just for starters.
Try out the mini Land Rovers, go on the train, check out the robots, go for a spin on the Spindizzy or on safari.
Medway Valley Leisure Park, Strood, Kent (and other locations in Durham and West Yorkshire), diggerland.com
Adrenalin Quarry
Why don’t you go and jump off a cliff? We’re not being rude, we’re suggesting something extraordinary for half-term if you’re in reach of Cornwall.
In which case there’s also karting, a freefall experience, axe-throwing, a Wipe Out inflatable experience, swings, zips… just make sure you bring nerves of steel and a fresh pair of underpants, just in case.
Lower Clicker Road, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14, adrenalinquarry.com
London Dungeon
Scare the living daylights out of all the family this half-term with a trip through plague, fire, torture, murder and general mayhem – you know how children love all of the above – at this classic London attraction.
From Medieval lifts via Gunpowder Plots to Jack the Ripper himself, there are rides and experiences and now there’s even an Escape (Execution) Room. Do your research and book your tickets wisely according to ages.
The Queen’s Walk, London SE1, thedungeons.com
Bear Grylls Adventure
Do everything Bear Grylls can do without risking your life or having to drink your own… actually, let’s not go there.
High ropes, shark dives, archery, indoor skydiving, shooting, snorkelling, escape rooms… basically anything that gets your heart rate dangerously high is on offer.
All you need is to summon your courage, choose your poison and get stuck in. Check the website for details of all activities including what to wear.
The NEC, Marston Green, Birmingham B40, beargryllsadventure.com
Alton Towers Pirate Takeover
Bad news, everyone: the Pirates Of Mutiny Bay have taken over Alton Towers just in time for February half-term. Or is that good news?
They are promising galleons of fun, after all.
There’s a Pieces Of Eight Treasure Trail, the option to explore the depths of the seven seas, a pirate pantomime, pirate school and pirate disco – and you get to stay at the resort because you can’t fit all that into just one day, right?
Oh and there’s also the rest of what was recently voted Theme Park Of The Year.
February 18-27, Alton, Staffs, altontowers.com
Chill Factore
It’s been a dicey time for ski and snowboard fans what with the rolling lockdowns and country bans and what have yous, but who needs real snow (look at the Winter Olympics in Beijing!) when you’ve got this even-better-than-the-real-thing set-up with slopes for all abilities.
Take your first lesson or improve your already awesome skills without having to take a single plane and without having to lug heavy snowboots across town. This could be the future of winter sports!
Beyond, 7 Trafford Way, Manchester M41, chillfactore.com
Altitude High Ropes
Make sure you have a head for heights for this nerve-shredding adventure way up there at either five metres or ten if you can take it.
Harness up and get ready to climb the wall or the rope ladder, edge your way across the rope bridge, walk the tightrope, step across some very high poles, zip down the zipwire and have a go on the Power Fan Descender, which is basically jumping off a platform and coming gently to earth, all under expert supervision.
Littledown Centre, Bournemouth BH7 (and other locations), bhliveactive.org.uk
Zip World
Six huge trampoline-style nets covering an area twice the size of St Paul’s in a disused mine underneath Snowdonia? Could anything be more fun?
Bounce, explore, run on the spot. And while you’re at the Slate Caverns site, you might as well get some zip-lining in or do a deep mine tour now that your adrenaline is already flowing.
Zip World Slate Caverns, Llechwedd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, zipworld.co.uk
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